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PRESS RELEASE 25/03/2009

Anchorage Wines

Nelson

Torrent Bay wines USA bound

Nelson?s Anchorage Wines is launching its Torrent Bay label throughout the United States, thanks to a deal cemented this week with 28 Below Imports.

Based in San Francisco, 28 Below Wine Imports LLC has been appointed the national importer/distributor of Anchorage?s Torrent Bay Wine selection, estate grown and bottled in Nelson New Zealand. General Manager of Anchorage Wines, Chris Drummond said the US deal means Torrent Bay wines will initially be distributed in California, Colorado, New York,  Pennsylvania and Georgia with ongoing distribution to all other states in 2010.  The company?s first wine shipment is due to arrive in the United States in early June.

Mr Drummond said the venture was an exciting one both for Anchorage and the wider Nelson wine region.  ?These guys (28 Below Imports) have been in the wine industry a long time and bring with them decades of wine marketing and sales experience; not to mention their network of wine retailers and buyers in many of States in the US.?

President and CEO of  28 Below Wine Imports LLC, Wayne J Bayliss said his company believed that Torrent Bay would provide US consumers with an example of the high quality of wine produced in the Nelson region of New Zealand and this in turn would also demonstrate the depth of consistent quality and excellent winemaking shown by New Zealand wineries.

Mr Bayliss and Jill Cleaver both of 28 Below Imports LLC have been in the Nelson region this week, gaining firsthand knowledge of Anchorage?s vineyards and winery along with meeting family members, winemakers and cellar hands. ?They have really enjoyed themselves this week, having met our family and taken a boat cruise up the Abel Tasman to Anchorage and Torrent Bay. Wayne and Jill are almost part of the family, ? Mr Drummond said.

For further information contact:

Chris Drummond

Anchorage Wines

Ph 03 5267252

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20/03/2009

28 Below Wine imports are pleased to announce we have been appointed the U.S importer for Torrent Bay Wines located in Nelson, New Zealand.

 

Chris Drummond and his team at Torrent Bay certainly showed us the highly valued Kiwi hospitality during our one week visit, the highlight being a half day cruise on the Able Tasman sea and visiting the national park aptly named Able Tasman.

During the cruise we visited Torrent Bay which of course is where this label gained its name, also was the holiday place of Chris and his family before their entry into the wine business, certainly made Jill and myself seriously envious of the joy it must be living as a child enjoying that wonderful place.

 

We were then taken on a tour of the new winery, which has been converted from an apple processing & storage facility, this was certainly impressive and demonstrates the commitment the Drummond family is making to-wards ensuring Torrent Bay is recognized as a winery with high integrity and goals and producing wines which will delight consumers with their aromatics.

Meeting Justin the winemaker was a pure delight, harvesting was just about to begin and the smile on his face and the glint in his eye certainly told us that he was looking forward to the first bin of grapes coming in the winery door, it was expected that this year will one of the best in the vineyard history.

 

You certainly know this is a family affair as when we first arrived, we were greeted by watching Chris’s dad Ray, pick and shovel in both hands preparing the groundwork for a new ramp to enable the grapes to be dropped straight into the press without being double handled and avoiding stress on the fruit.

The winery café and tasting area was our next port of call, we were treated to a tasting of the 08 vintage and the wines were fantastic and truly showed the aromatics this region is famous for and truly so!, we understood why these wines have won various medals both here in New Zealand and overseas.

Both Jill & I were sad to leave this lovely region and we have already made plans to visit next year; however we are leaving with the knowledge we have some great wines to add to our portfolio and share with our clients and consumers.

We also extended an invitation to visit us in California whereby we can return the hospitality and show you some of the natural attractions of the California region.

Once again thank you Chris and family and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership between Torrent Bay and 28 Below Imports.

 

 

 

Australia
 
Wandering Wallaby - Manjimup - Western Australia
 
 
The highlight of our trip to visit 'Wandering Wallaby' was seeing for the first time the new winery and the addition of new storage tanks and equipment to cater for the increasing demand which we have achieved in the past year. March 2009 is the third anniversary of 'Wandering Wallaby' in the United States and 28 Below is proud to be their importer and distributor.
 
The ongoing relationship between Mark Kordic, the owner of Wandering Wallaby and 28 Below Wine Imports has truly been a successful one and will continue to be a relationship full of unlimited potential and will yield some great wines produced with passion for our customers.
 
Harvesting is about to begin and a record crop is envisaged. We look forward to a great 2009 Chardonnay, which will arrive in our Napa warehouse by August. Also, November will see the arrival of our first straight Shiraz under the 'Wandering Wallaby' label. Mark is excited by the potential of these upcoming wines as a result of exceptional growing conditions and assurres us we will be impressed.
 
Thanks Mark and Debbie for the great hospitality shown both to myself and Jill during our recent vist and the home baked cookies were fantastic! We look forward to returning the hospitalty when you vist us in San Francisco.

 

Pemberton
 
Big Brook Wines
 
 
Big Brook Wines is a family-owned winery established in 2008 by the O'Toole family of Perth, Western Australia on a 10 year old vineyard in the Pemberton wine region of Western Australia.
 
Big Brook Wines is the latest addittion to our portfolio and we have chosen the 2009 Chardonnay to kick start this great winery in the United States, the  2008 Chardonnay last year won Gold & Bronze medals at major Australian shows and the 2009 is certain to do likewise.
 

A visit to Pemberton is a must when ever in this region of the world, the wineries are surrounded by tall timbers. We stayed in the Projection Room of an unbelievable restored old picture theatre, built in 1929 by the travelling picture man. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on image to enlarge

New Zealand Map of Motueka

Aerial picture of Torrent Bay

Justin And Chris

Grapes under Nets

Torrent bay Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

built in 1929 by the travelling picture man.

http://www.oldpicturetheatre.com.au/